A close associate and business partner of deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was arrested Thursday in Spain where he had fled during Egypt’s recent uprising, according to MENA, the official Egyptian state news agency.
Hussein Salem, co-owner of the East Mediterranean Gas Company (EMG), an Israeli-Egyptian consortium, faces charges of corruption by Egypt’s public prosecutor. Spanish authorities arrested him at his vacation home in Mallorca, Spain, on an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol, according to MENA.
Mr. Salem has long been an object of popular ire by the Egyptian public. Many Egyptians believe EMG sells Egyptian natural gas to Israel at rates below market prices thanks to a sweetheart deal between Mr. Salem and Egypt’s former regime.
His arrest marks the latest in a string of businessmen and former government officials who face corruption charges for their allegedly illegal dealings with Mr. Mubarak’s regime.
The unpopular businessman fled Egypt before Mr. Mubarak stepped down on February 11.
Mr. Salem is also the chairman and CEO of HKS Group, a hospitality chain that owns the Maritim Jolie Ville Resort in Sharm El Sheikh a seaside resort city where the Mubarak family has long maintained a residence. Mr. Mubarak owns a home in the Maritim Jolie Ville where he has lived since he was deposed in February.
Mr. Mubarak is now in police custody at a hospital in the coastal resort city, where he is convalescing from heart problems.
Egyptian officials say they are preparing Mr. Salem’s extradition to Egypt where he will face trial on August 3 along with Mr. Mubarak and his two sons, Gamal and Alaa, who also face corruption charges.